The history of liquor is a fascinating one. Its origins are unclear. But most think people first distilled alcohol around the 13th century AD. And there’s no proof it occurred earlier.
History of Liquor
Wine can occur with no human help. And beer can brew with little human involvement. But distilling alcohol can’t. It requires advanced understanding. It also requires advanced technology. Therefore, people “developed” distillation. They didn’t “discover” it.
Liquor
“Liquor” has different meanings. And its meaning has changed over time. At one time, it meant any alcohol beverage. But now it generally refers to distilled spirits. These include whiskey, rum, vodka, gin, tequila, rye, and so on.
Resources
Web
Popular Books
Albertus Magnus. The first to describe how to make distilled spirits.- Austin, G. Alcohol in Western Society. From Antiquity to 1800.
- Babor, T. Alcohol: Customs and Rituals.
- Baker, P. The Dedalus Book of Absinthe.
- Blocker, J., et al. Alcohol and Temperance in Modern History.
- Doxat, J. The World of Drinks and Drinking.
- Forbes, R. Short History of the Art of Distillation.
- Gately, I. Drink: A Cultural History of Alcohol.
- Hanson, D. Preventing Alcohol Abuse, ch. 1.
- Heath, D., (ed.) Handbook on Alcohol and Culture.
- Holt, M., (Ed.) Alcohol: A Social and Cultural History.
- Hoover, M. The Whiskey Rebellion.
- Lichine, A. Alexis Lichine’s New Encyclopedia of Wines and Spirits.
- Lucia, S. (ed.) Alcohol and Civilization.
- McGuire, E. Irish Whisky.
- Magee, M. 1000 Years of Irish Whiskey.
- Murphy, B. The World Book of Whiskey.
- Patrick, C. Alcohol, Culture, and Society.
- Rorabaugh, W. The Alcoholic Republic.
- Smith, F. The Archeology of Alcohol and Drinking.
- Sournia, J. A History of Alcoholism.